Parkway would complete I-526

DOT unveils plan for low-speed 4-lane with bike access

By Diane Knich
The Post and Courier
Thursday, July 29, 2010

The completion of Interstate 526 from West Ashley to Johns Island and the James Island connector likely will be a low-speed, four-lane parkway that includes a path for bicycles and pedestrians, according to the S.C. Department of Transportation.

But transportation officials said the proposal is not final and could be modified after the agency gathers input from the public.

The Transportation Department released its preferred route Wednesday at a meeting in Charleston County Council Chambers. The proposed "parkway" extends from the end of I-526 at U.S. Highway 17 in West Ashley, across the Stono River to Johns Island and James Island, where it ties in to the James Island connector at Folly Road. The road would have speed limits between 35 and 45 mph, and most sections would have a planted median. The plan includes two 65-foot-tall bridges over the Stono River.

In 2009, the Transportation Department presented to the public six alternative routes for finishing I-526. The preferred alternative presented Wednesday is a hybrid of two of those proposals, project manager David Kinard said. "It's a lot different than anything we've proposed before," he said.

Kinard said the proposed parkway would cost about $489 million, which is lower than any of the other "reasonable" alternatives. There is $420 million from the State Infrastructure Bank available for the project, he said, and he didn't know yet where the Transportation Department would get the additional money.

The S.C. Department of Transportation's recommended preferred alternative for the completion of Interstate 526 includes:

--A four-lane parkway with a 15-foot, center median.

--Posted speed limits between 35 and 45 mph.

--A multi-use path along the entire length to accommodate bikes and pedestrians.
--Connection to James Island County Park and the West Ashley Greenway.

--Two connector roads onto Johns Island.

--The lowest cost of the seven reasonable alternatives at $489 million.

Public officials and citizen groups already were beginning to weigh in on the proposal Wednesday afternoon. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and a consultant to the town of Kiawah Island were pleased with the plan, while the Coastal Conservation League and James Island Mayor Mary Clark came out against it.

Riley said he's "extremely happy with the wonderful solution. It's a quieter, more appropriately scaled road." Riley also said he was impressed with the bike and pedestrian path.

Paul Roberts, former chairman of the Kiawah Island Community Association and a consultant on road issues to the town of Kiawah Island, said "it's wonderful to see this thing is still alive."

Roberts said the proposal represents "a compromise that might be embraced by a larger number of people."

For people who live on Kiawah and Seabrook islands and parts of Johns Island, it means shorter trips to West Ashley and downtown Charleston, he said.

But not everybody was happy with the proposal.

Josh Martin, the Coastal Conservation League's program director for land use, said his group is opposed to building a new road, and instead would favor making improvements to existing roads to relieve traffic congestion.

He also said he doubted the proposed road would alleviate traffic problems and that drivers would actually drive 35 to 45 mph on "a four-lane highway."

Martin also questioned why the Transportation Department was holding public hearings on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 at Burke High School on the Charleston peninsula. Most people who would be affected by the new road live in West Ashley or on James and Johns islands, he said.

Kinard said the Transportation Department hopes to have a final plan by the spring of 2011.

Clark, who with Town Council has voted twice to oppose I-526 coming to the island, said the plan to bring the route in as a parkway is a thinly veiled Transportation Department effort to get its project through. "Whether you call it a parkway, an avenue or a boulevard," she said, "it's still intruding across James Island and bringing traffic here."

Ron Barber is a retired teacher who lives in West Ashley near the starting point of the proposed extension. He said he wasn't surprised by the proposal but still opposes the plan.

"I have a Florida room, and I don't like the idea of people driving by and waving at them."

Edward C. Fennell and Melvin Backman contributed to this report. Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com.

Tidal Creek Lot in Seaside Estates

Owen Tyler Carolina One Real Estate owen@owentyler.com (843) 224-5398 0 Sea Bass Cove, Charleston, SC Waterfront Lot in Seaside Estates 0.23 acres Vacant Land offered at $299,000 Lot Size 0.23 acres DESCRIPTION Great views of Clark Sound and Morris Island Lighthouse. Lot is located on quiet cul-de-sac in upscale Seaside Estates. Neighborhood has dock and lakefront park for the use of the residents and a private boat launch with a crab dock. Wonderful opportunity to build your dream home in an established James Island neighborhood with unbelievable views. see additional photos below LOCATION FEATURES - Dock - Tidal Creek ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Contact info: Owen Tyler Carolina One Real Estate mailto:owen@owentyler.com?subject=0 (843) 224-5398 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jul 17, 2010, 1:01pm PDT

CHARLESTON RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SALES PEAK OVER 1,000 IN JUNE

CHARLESTON RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SALES PEAK OVER 1,000 IN JUNE

CHARLESTON, SC—(July 12, 2010) More than 1,000 homes sold in June, marking the highest number of residential real estate transactions in nearly three years. According to the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR), 1,022 homes changed hands at a median sale price of $185,612 in June. The last time more than one thousand transactions closed was August of 2007.

While the median sales price of $185,612 is approximately 4% lower than last June’s peak price of $192,626, it is consistent with median prices thus far in 2010.

Homes are selling on average, almost 2 weeks faster than they were one year ago, with days on market for June 2010 averaging 105, as compared to the June 2009 average of 118.

“The most encouraging data are the year-to-date statistics” said Jeremy Willits, CTAR President, “They exemplify the ongoing stability and minimal yet healthy growth of our recovering market—sales volume has been steadily increasing since the beginning of this year and median prices remain firmly in the mid $180-range.”

Year-to-date, 31% more homes have sold than in the first half of 2009, and median prices have remained stable, increasing by a slight 1% margin.

“The extension of the closing date for those who qualified for the Homebuyer Tax Credit will help thousands of people across the state of South Carolina who would not have been able to close by the original June 30 deadline, due to the high volume of loan activity the banks are trying to work through” said Willits.

As of June 30, 2010 there were 9,869 homes listed as actively for sale with the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service.

BERKELEY COUNTY
Berkeley County led the way with the largest sales increase among the three counties and also showed the most stability in median price. 251 closed transactions reflect a 57% increase from June 2009, when 160 homes sold in the County.

Median sale prices varied by 1%--down slightly from $172,361 in June 2009 to $169,875in June 2010. Again, the most active area of the County was Goose Creek/Moncks Corner, from Highway 52 to the Cooper River where 57 homes sold at a median price of $148,071.

CHARLESTON COUNTY
Charleston County also showed a significant sales increase, with 41% more properties changing hands than in June 2009. 513 homes sold this June, compared with 364 sales in June 2009. Following several months of consistent price gains in the early part of this year, Charleston County median prices declined by nearly 7% when compared to last June, settling at $237,500.

The area of Mount Pleasant that lies south of Highway 41 recorded the most sales in the County, with 105 closed transactions at a median price of $340,000.

DORCHESTER COUNTY
234 homes sold at a median price of $154,854 in June in Dorchester County. These sales reflect a 24% increase in sales when compared to last June, when 188 homes sold at a median price of $162,250.

While median sale prices dipped approximately 5% in Dorchester County when compared to last June, homes are selling significantly faster in this area—average days on market decreased by more than a month’s measure, dropping 39 days to an average of 64.

The most active area of Dorchester County was the Summerville/Ridgeville area, with 115 sales at a median price of $157,327.

MAY 2010 ADJUSTMENT
Preliminary numbers reported in May 2010 indicated 878 homes had sold at a median price of $186,497. Adjusted numbers now show that 933 homes sold at a median price of $185,000.

With nearly 4,000 members, CTAR’s mission is to promote the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, education and technology, and to ensure that its members are the primary source for real estate services in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Only those who are members of the Association of REALTORS® and its parent organizations are called REALTORS®.

CNNMoney.com - Best Places to Live 2010

100. Mount Pleasant, SC

WINNER

Top 100 rank: 100
Population: 68,000

This appealing town has three main things going for it: miles of beach, a moderate climate, and strong schools.

Less than 10 minutes from Charleston, Mount Pleasant is big in shrimping, though cheaper imported Asian seafood has hurt the industry.

Residents revel in community events such as the "Blessing of the Fleet" -- an annual spring festival in which everyone enjoys fresh-caught shrimp and live music. --J.S.

Is Mount Pleasant a great town, or what?

Mount Pleasant stats

Median family income (per year) $90,465
Job growth % (2000-2009)* 39.50%
Median home price $287,744
Test scores reading (% above/below state average) 21.1%
Test scores math (% above/below average) 28.8%
Personal crime incidents (per 1,000) 3
Property crime incidents (per 1,000) 21
Restaurants (within 15 miles) 1,018
High temp in July ° F 89.7°
Low temp in Jan ° F 38.3°
Median age 36.9

From the August 2010 issue
Notes: *County data

(I) Income tax notes:

16 states have statutory provision for automatic adjustment of tax brackets, personal exemption or standard deductions to the rate of inflation. Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio index the personal exemption amounts only.
These states allow personal exemption or standard deductions as provided in the IRC.

Charleston Ranks 3rd in 2010 World's Best Awards

The Holy City jumped one spot to rank third among Travel + Leisure magazine's favorite cities in the United States and Canada in its 2010 World's Best Awards.

For the two previous years Travel + Leisure ranked Charleston No. 4. This year only New York City and San Francisco rated better.

In 2009 Quebec City held the No. 3 spot, but it dropped to eighth this year.
Travel + Leisure readers participated in a survey to determine the winners. City rankings came from the following criteria: sights, culture and arts, restaurants and food, people, shopping and value.

Among other local accolades: Woodlands Inn took the No. 2 spot on the Top 5 Inns in the U.S. and Canada; Planters Inn earned the No. 6 ranking on the Top 10 Small City Hotels in the U.S. and Canada; Charleston Place jumped from No. 22 to No. 12 in Top 50 Large City Hotels in the U.S. and Canada; and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort came in at No. 17 on the Top 50 Resorts in the U.S. and Canada.

Opponents speak out against rail plan

Friday, 09 July 2010
By Daniel Brock

NORTH CHARLESTON -- Mayor Keith Summey’s play to eliminate northern rail service to the former Navy base in favor of a line from the south has come under criticism from longtime opponents, who claim the plan isn’t in the region’s best interest and say they have been shut out of negotiations.

Summey, development firm Shipyard Creek and railroad operator CSX Transportation have drafted a memorandum of understanding that, if approved by the North Charleston City Council, would basically greenlight an intermodal rail facility that designed to service the $600 million S.C. State Ports Authority terminal under construction at the base.

Summey’s push for southern rail stems from a desire to preserve redevelopment efforts in North Charleston’s neighborhoods and on the base, which he says a northern line would negatively affect.

But a rival rail line and state agencies say that they’ve been frozen out of the proceedings and that they disagree with the plan.

“We have not been involved in this,” said Robin Chapman, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern, Charleston’s other Class 1 railroad. Chapman said the company hasn’t participated in talks because it wasn’t invited.

“We don’t believe it’s in the right spot. We believe the best solution is a single consolidated terminal served by both Norfolk Southern and CSX,” he said.

Norfolk Southern would have to pay a switching fee for use of the CSX-owned track that would service a proposed intermodal yard on the Macalloy property, which is owned by Shipyard Creek. That charge can run into the hundreds of dollars per car.

Though it is common for rail companies to charge switching fees, Chapman said in this instance it would put Norfolk Southern at a competitive disadvantage in Charleston.

Summey addressed that issue in an interview on Wednesday.

“If the state was running it, they’d charge both of them a fee,” Summey said. “That’s the way it works in just about every location across the country. Now if Norfolk Southern wants a yard, they can build a yard somewhere else.”

S.C. Public Railways President Jeff McWhorter echoed Chapman’s sentiments, saying that his agency has not been consulted and that it prefers a facility that “would be accessible by both” rail lines.

The ports authority, which has long tried to distance itself from the debate, is not part of any specific plan, according to Jim Newsome, the agency’s president and CEO. The SPA was also not involved in the drafting of the proposed agreement.

“Whatever solution is implemented doesn’t require our buy-in,” Newsome said.

SPA spokesman Byron Miller said the SPA has concerns about Shipyard Creek’s plan for the Macalloy land. One of those concerns pertains to a port access road that would run across part of the Macalloy property.

A clause in the current memorandum calls for North Charleston to “assist and support the effort to cause” the port access road to be relocated.

If the road is moved, permits pertaining to both the road and the terminal could be reopened. Newsome said a reopening of the permits would likely be both time-consuming and costly, and could delay the terminal’s construction.

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM AND HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CLOSING DATE EXTENDED

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM EXTENDED

For months Buyers and Seller across the nation have been paralyzed by Congress's inability to renew the Flood Insurance program, of even greater concern as we enter hurricane season.

The United States Senate has passed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569) an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. This will allow transactions to move forward. The bill is retroactive and covers the lapse periodfrom June 1, 2010 to the date of enactment of the extension.

But we can't get too comfortable with our flood insurance as the program is again set to expire on September 30, 2010.

HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CLOSING DEADLINE EXTENDED

Congress has passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623). The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 that have not yet closed. The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension the new closing deadline for eligible transactions is now September 30, 2010. There is will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law.

Many of those taking advantage of the credit have been unable to close due long and drawn out process of Short Sales across the U.S.